Team: Dr. Duck (Vigneesha, Saravanam, Tan Yu Ling, Mohd.

Bukhari)25 August 2009

Format used for the Amazon Leafcutter Ants: Sample Research Proposal What
Protects the Ants’ Home?

The format used for this research proposal Amazon Leafcutter Ants: Sample Research Proposal
What Protects the Ants’ Home? are as the following below:

Title page: Title: Proposal for Thesis, and thesis title

Background: This sets out why you chose your topic - what prompted your interest in
the topic; the links with previous research; ways your thesis is different or unique; and
states the research objectives, questions or hypothesis.
Theoretical framework: The relevant literature review you have read so far sets your
research in context identifies the direction you will take from among the possible
theoretical directions.
Research methodology: In this section identify the methodology that underpins your
research and give a rationale for your approach and the research paradigm and
epistemologies that underpin your research. Show how you have used the literature
review to construct your own research methodology.

Comparison between the “Recommended Structure of a First-Class Research

Proposal”, and the Amazon Leafcutter Ants: Sample Research Proposal What
Protects the Ants’ Home?
“Recommended Structure of a First-Class Research Proposal”, to achieve a first-class grade;
ensuring to meet the specific structural guidelines established by your institution and
adhering to the following structural guidelines, which will be discussed in further detail:
Introduction - This initial section of research proposal is very important, because it will
introduce the specific problem are attempting to address and also clearly state your specific
objectives in the proposal’s introduction. A general background section is also provided to
introduce the reader to actual proposal.
I. Setting the Scene:
1. General background introducing the problem.
2. Stating specific and clear aims and objectives.

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Team: Dr. Duck (Vigneesha, Saravanam, Tan Yu Ling, Mohd. Bukhari)25 August 2009

Literature Review - The next part of research proposal involves conducting a thorough
review of all relevant literature, this section should include empirical research and
theoretical material as well as identify any principal gaps in the literature currently
available.

II. Review of relevant literature:

1. Theoretical work

2. Empirical research

3. Key Gaps

Research Methodology - The third section of research proposal is where present a general
overview of intended research methods. The goal is to ensure each method meets the
specific objectives, particularly if to earn a high final grade and include your proposed
timetable for the main activities, as well as any statistical tools planned to utilize
throughout the research. Last but not least, identify any relevant ethical issues in this
section of the document.

III. Research Methodology:

1. Overview of proposed research methods

2. Relating each method with specific objectives

3. Design and procedure for administration

4. Proposed statistical tools / frameworks

5. Timetable for key activities

6. Possible ethical issues

References - Every research or project proposal should include a comprehensive list of the
references that have used.

D: References and Bibliography

Compared to the research proposal Amazon Leafcutter Ants: Sample Research

Proposal What Protects the Ants’ Home?, it has no literature review which included the
theoretical work, empirical research and key gaps more on the Amazon leafcutter ants’
habitats, what are the factors that leads to they lost their homes, and no thorough
description in research methodology, only some key points in the procedures, it didn’t
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Team: Dr. Duck (Vigneesha, Saravanam, Tan Yu Ling, Mohd. Bukhari)25 August 2009

really specify relating each method with specific objectives, design and procedure for
administration-what are the actions they may take, proposed statistical tools / frameworks-
in charts or diagrams, timetable for key activities to protect the ants’ home and possible
ethical issues such as regarding to legistration, policies and license if they launch a lab to
undergo experiments on Amazon Leafcutter Ants and it has no references and
Bibliography at the end of the research proposal.

Reference
1. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/educators/lessons/lesson1/1_samp_proposal.pd
f
2. http://www.ivoryresearch.com/writing-first-class-project-proposal.php
3. http://www.coursework4you.co.uk/essays-and-dissertations/how-to-write-a-1st-
class-project-proposal-or-research-proposal.php

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Team: Dr. Duck (Vigneesha, Saravanam, Tan Yu Ling, Mohd. Bukhari)25 August 2009